Walking catfish, Species (Clarias batrachus) of Asian and African catfish that can progress remarkable distances over dry land. It uses its pectoral-fin spines as anchors to prevent jackknifing as its body musculature produces snakelike movements. Treelike respiratory structures extending above the gill chambers enable it to breathe. It has been introduced into southern Florida, where it now poses a serious threat to native fauna.

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any of the fishes of the order Siluriformes. Catfishes are related to the characins, carp, and minnows (order Cypriniformes) and may be placed with them in the superorder Ostariophysi. Some authorities, however, have regarded these groups as suborders, rather than a single order, and have...

A few ostariophysans have the capability to emerge from their aquatic abode and move over land, climb walls, or even glide or fly through the air. The walking catfish (Clarias batrachus), an exotic species in southern Florida, uses its pectoral fin spines as anchors to prevent jackknifing as its body musculature produces snakelike movements and can progress remarkable distances over dry...